WO2018152696A1

WO2018152696A1 - Multiple-compartment storing and packaging device

Info

Publication number: WO2018152696A1
Application number: PCT/CN2017/074399
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jin Seok Kim; Stéphane Leroux; Vincent JACQUART
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2017-02-22
Filing date: 2017-02-22
Publication date: 2018-08-30

Abstract

The multiple-compartment storing and packaging device comprises a container (12) comprising a base (16) delimiting at least a first compartment (18) containing at least one cosmetic product, a tray (20) mounted on the base and delimiting at least a second compartment (44) separate from the first compartment (18) and receiving at least one first puff (46), and a closure cap (22) mounted on the base (16). The device comprises a lid (14) mounted on the container (12) and delimiting together with said container at least a third compartment (70) separate from the second compartment (44) and receiving at least one second puff (72). One of the first and second puffs is configured to form a powder puff (46) for applying the cosmetic product contained inside the container while the other is configured to form a clean puff (72) for cleansing impurities.

Description

Multiple-compartment storing and packaging device

The present invention relates to a multiple-compartment device for storing and packaging at least a cosmetic product and various kinds of puffs.

One advantageous application of the invention is the use of the multiple-compartment device for storing and packaging cosmetic products in the form of a powder or of a compact. By way of example, a device of this type may be used for storing and packaging make-up products such a foundation, blush, eyeshadow or lip rouge.

The expression "cosmetic product" is understood to mean a product as defined in Article 2 of Regulation No. 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009.

Classically, a multiple-compartment container comprises a base delimiting a first compartment containing the cosmetic product, and a tray rotatably mounted on the base and movable between an open position allowing access to the first compartment and a closed position. Said tray delimits a second compartment receiving a powder puff for applying the cosmetic product.

Such container further comprises a closure cap rotatably mounted on the base for closing off the second compartment. For more details, it is possible for example to refer to documents US 5,735,297 (Revlon Consumer Products Corporation) or WO 2016/083607 (L’OREAL) .

Some kinds of cosmetics products require a preparation of the skin for example by absorbing sweat and/or sebum or by removing previously applied make-up. Such a preparation of the skin may turn out to be very useful for user, in particular in very hot and/or humid and/or polluted countries where the user may, for example, wish to retouch her makeup during the day.

To this end, the powder puff housed into the multiple-compartment container is usually used. However, the user has to wash the puff, for example by means of any suitable cleaning agent, and then to dry it before reuse for application of the cosmetic product.

In addition, makeup removal or sebum removal may require the use of another product, such as a dissolving product, in order to assist in the removal, said product generally not being readily available in the packaging compact device.

It is a particular object of the present invention to overcome this drawback.

The invention relates to a multiple-compartment storing and packaging device comprises a container comprising a base delimiting at least a first compartment containing at least one cosmetic product, and a tray mounted on the base and movable between an open position allowing access to said first compartment and a closed position. Said tray delimits at least a second compartment separate from the first compartment and receiving at least one first puff. The container further comprises a closure cap mounted on the base between an open position allowing access to said first puff and a closed position.

According to a general feature, the multiple-compartment device further comprises a lid mounted on the container and delimiting together with said container at least a third compartment separate from the second compartment and receiving at least one second puff. The lid is movable between an open position allowing access to said second puff and a closed position.

According to another general feature, one of the said first and second puffs is configured to form a powder puff for applying the cosmetic product contained inside the first compartment of the container while the other is configured to form a clean puff for cleansing impurities. Said powder puff comprises at least one application face having a surface state that is different from the surface state of at least one cleaning face of the clean puff.

“Impurities” should be understood as including, without being limited to, sweat, sebum, pollution particles, another previously applied makeup product.

A “surface state that is different” should be understood as meaning that at least one of the physical or chemical characteristics of said surfaces is different, said characteristic preferably being the average pore size of the puffs and/or the shape of said pores.

The powder puff and the clean puff may be used separately, and/or in successive manner. In particular, the clean puff makes it possible to prepare the skin for applying the cosmetic product before the application of said product with the powder puff.

For example, the application face of the powder puff may be preferably relatively non-absorbent. The cleaning face of the clean puff may be a face that presents an absorption capacity greater than the absorption capacity of the application face of the powder puff, that is adapted to absorb water for cleansing the skin, or that is adapted to absorb perspiration or sebum independently of any application of water. The clean puff may be washed regardless of whether the powder puff is used.

Otherwise, since the different kinds of puffs are housed into compartments of the device which are separated from each other, this leads to avoid any soiling or contamination of the powder puff by the clean puff.

In addition, the two puffs are stored in the same assembly and are consequently readily available throughout all day.

The two puffs may also be replaced or changed independently.

In one embodiment, the cap and/or lid and/or tray are rotatably or pivotally movable on their corresponding part. Alternatively, the cap and/or lid and/or tray may be slidably movable on their corresponding part.

In one embodiment, the lid is mounted on the closure cap of the container. In this case, the lid may be axially located on the side opposite to the tray with respect to the closure cap. In other words, the lid covers an upper face of the closure cap when said lid is in its closed position. Alternatively, the lid may be mounted to cover a lower face of the closure cap when said lid is in its closed position. However, with such an arrangement, the lid is accessible from the outside only in the open position of the closure cap.

In another embodiment, the lid may be mounted on the base of the container. With such a design, the way the device is held by the user differs whether the powder puff or the clean puff has to be used.

In order to secure lid in its closed position, the lid may comprise at least one hook arranged to snap on the container.

The lid may be rotatable around a rotation axis that extends transversely to a median axis of the base. Preferably, the closure cap may be rotatable around a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the lid. In one embodiment, the rotation axis of the closure cap is situated above the rotation axis of the lid with respect to the median axis of the base. Alternatively, it could be possible to foresee other disposition of said axes. For example, the rotation axes may be radially opposed from each other respect to the median axis of the base.

Preferably, the powder puff may be stored in the first compartment delimited by the tray while the clean puff may be stored in the third compartment delimited by the lid and the container. Alternatively, it could however be possible to provide an inverted disposition of the puffs.

Advantageously, the powder and clean puffs are each formed of porous material. In one embodiment, the number of pores per unit surface area of said cleaning face of the clean puff is higher than that of said application face of the powder puff.

The number of pores per mm² of said cleaning face of the clean puff may be higher than 30, the number of pores per mm² of said application face of the powder puff may be lesser than 30.

Preferably, for said cleaning face of the clean puff, the number of pores per mm² is higher than or equal to 30, preferably higher than or equal to 40. Preferably, the number of pores per mm² is lower than or equal to 60, preferably lower than or equal to 50. Preferably the number of pores per mm² is around or equal to 44.

The pores of the said cleaning face may have an average diameter higher than or equal to 60 μm, and preferably higher than or equal to 95 μm. Preferably, the average diameter of said pores is lower than or equal to 130 μm, and preferably lower than or equal to 105 μm.

The pores of the said cleaning face may also have an average width/length ratio higher than or equal to 0, 85. Preferably, the average width/length ratio is lower than or equal to 1, and preferably lower than or equal to 0.9.

The powder and clean puffs may be of natures, densities, thicknesses, dimensions, and/or areas that are optionally identical or different, e.g. being covered with fabric, flocking, and/or elastomer. Both faces may be flocked, with flocking bristles of hardnesses that are different.

The invention also relates to a method of applying a cosmetic product stored into the multiple-compartment storing and packaging device as previously defined comprising:

- opening the lid of said device to take up said second puff,

- cleansing the surface of the skin to be treated with said second puff,

- opening the closure cap of the container of said device to take up said first puff,

- loading said first puff with cosmetic product contained into the base of the container of said device, and

- applying the cosmetic product on the said surface of the skin to be treated.

Preferably, the second puff may be impregnated with water before cleansing the skin.

The invention further relates to a puff comprising at least one sheet of porous material having at least one face provided with a number of pores per mm² higher than or equal to 30. Preferably, said number of pores per mm² is lower than or equal to 60.

The present invention and its advantages will be better understood by studying the detailed description of a specific embodiment given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings on which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a multiple-compartment storing and packaging device according to an example of the invention,

- Figure 2 is an exploded view of the device of Figure 1,

- Figure 3 is a cross-section of the device of Figure 1, and

- Figures 4 to 6 are perspective views of the device of Figure 1 in use.

In the present description, the phrase “ranging from” should be understood as independently meaning “being above or equal to the lower value” and “being below or equal to the upper value” .

Figures 1 to 3 show an example of a multiple-compartment device, denoted by the general reference number 10, for storing and packaging cosmetic product and powder and cleaning puffs.

Figures 1 to 3 represent the device 10 in a state that is assumed to be vertical. The device 10 comprises a container 12 having a central or median axis X-X’and a lid 14 rotatably mounted on the container.

The container 12 comprises a base 16 delimiting a first compartment 18 for the cosmetic product P, an inner cap or tray 20 rotatably mounted on the base 16 and a closure cap 22.

As shown on Figure 3, in the illustrated example, the base 16, coaxial with the axis X-X’, comprises an annular main body 24, a bottom 26 secured to the main body, and an intermediate plate 28 axially interposed between the main body 24 and the bottom 26 and delimiting the first compartment 18. The main body 24 defines an aperture 30 providing access from outside to the compartment 18. In the illustrated example, the base 16 comprises a plurality of assembled-together parts. Alternatively, the base 16 may be made in one part for example from plastic material.

In the illustrated example, the tray 20 is designed approximately in cup form. As shown on Figure 2, the tray 20 is rotatably mounted on the base 16 around an axis 32 that extends transversally to the median axis X-X’. The tray 20 is rotatably mounted on the base 16 between an open position allowing access to the first compartment 18 of product P and a closed position in which said tray covers said compartment. The tray 20 comprises a hinge 34 which is fitted between two spaced hinged blocks 36 projecting upwardly from an upper face of the base 16, here from an upper face of the main body 24 of said base. A pin (not shown) extends through the hinged blocks 36 and the hinge 34 to hingedly connect the tray 20 and the base 16 together.

The tray 20 also comprises a lug 38 extending downwardly from its peripheral edge and provided with a hook 40 extends radially outwards. Here, the lug 38 is radially opposed to the hinge 34. When the tray 20 is closed, the lug 38 is inserted into a recess 42 formed on the base member 16, here on the main body 24 of said base. The hook 40 engages with an end wall of the base member defining the recess 42, thereby maintaining the tray 20 secured on the base member 16.

Referring once again to Figure 3, the tray 20 further comprises an annular skirt 42 extending downwardly from its lower face and sealingly engaging into the aperture 30 of the base in the closed position of said tray. The tray 20 is so dimensioned that its lower face rests on and in contact with the upper face of the base 16. The tray 20 is made in one part, for example from plastic material such as polyethylene (PE) , polypropylene (PP) , polyethylene terephthalate (PET) , etc.

The tray 20 delimits a second compartment 44 separate from the compartment 18. The second compartment 44 is defined by the upper face of the tray 20. The second compartment 44 is oriented axially outwards. As will be described later, the container 12 further comprises a powder puff 46 mounted into the compartment 44.

The closure cap 22 is rotatably mounted on the base 16. The closure cap 22 is rotatably mounted around an axis 47 that extends transversally to the median axis X-X’and to the rotation axis 32 (Figure 2) of the tray 20. The closure cap 22 is rotatably mounted on the base 16 between a closed position and an open position allowing access to the tray 20, the compartment 44 and the powder puff 46. The closure cap 22 is dimensioned so that the tray 20 is entirely housed between the base 16 and said cap in the closed position.

The closure cap 22 comprises a top wall 48 and annular peripheral skirt 50 extending axially said top wall towards the base 16. The skirt 50, coaxial with the axis X-X’, extends a large-diameter of the top wall 48. The skirt 50 axially abuts against the base 16 in the closed position of the cap 22. Here, the container 12 comprises a mirror 51 secured to the lower face of the top wall 48 of the cap.

The closure cap 22 also comprises a projection 52 extending downwardly from the skirt 50 and fitted into a cut-out 54 (Figure 2) formed on the base 16 for forming a hinge connection between the cap and the base by a pin (not shown) . The closure cap 22 further comprises a lug 56 extending downwardly from the skirt 50 and provided with a hook 58 extends radially inwards. Here, the lug 56 is radially opposed to the projection 52. The closure cap 22 is made in one part, for example from plastic material such as polyethylene (PE) , polypropylene (PP) , acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) , polyethylene terephthalate (PET) , etc.

When the cap 22 is closed, the lug 56 is inserted into a recess 60 formed on a push-button 62 supported by the base member 16, here the main body 24 of said base. The hook 58 engages with a rib 64 of said push-button thereby maintaining the cap 22 in a closed position. The push-button 62 facilitates opening and closing of the cap 22.

As previously mentioned, the lid 14 of the device is rotatably mounted on the container 12. In the illustrated example, the lid 14 is mounted on the closure cap 22. The lid 14 is rotatably mounted on the cap 22 between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the lid 14 delimits together with the cap 22 a third closed compartment 70 into which is housed a clean puff 72 as will be described later. The lid 14 recovers the closure cap 22. The compartment 70 is axially delimited by the top wall 48 of the cap and the lid 14. More precisely, the compartment 70 is axially delimited by the upper face of the top wall 48 of the cap and the lower face of the lid 14. In the open position of the lid, the clean puff 72 is accessible from the outside. Here, the clean puff 72 rests on the top wall 48 of the closure cap.

In the illustrated example, the lid 14 is designed approximately in cup form. The lid 14 is rotatably mounted on the closure cap 22 around an axis 74 that extends transversally to the median axis X-X’and parallel to the rotation axis 47 of said cap. Here, the rotation axis 74 is situated above the rotation axis 47 with respect to the median axis X-X’.

The lid 14 comprises a hinge 76 which is fitted into a cut-out 78 formed on the closure cap 22. A pin (not shown) extends through the hinge 76 to hingedly connect the lid 14 and the cap 22 together. The lid 14 also comprises a hook 80 extending downwardly from its lower face. In the closed position of the lid 14, the hook 80 engages a complementary hook 82 formed on the top wall 48 of the closure cap in order to secure the lid on said cap by snap-fitting. The lid 14 further comprises a tab 84 for gripping which is radially opposed to the hinge 76 and which extends into a recess 86 (Figure 2) formed on the skirt 50 of the closure cap. The lid 14 is made in one part, for example from plastic material such as polyethylene (PE) , polypropylene (PP) , acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) , polyethylene terephthalate (PET) , etc.

Starting from the closed position of the device 10 shown on Figure 1, the user can use the tab 84 as gripping element to open the lid 14. The lid 14 is pivoted to the desired angle after manually releasing the engagement between the

hooks

80, 82 as shown on Figure 4. The lid 14 is opened to take up the clean puff 72. The clean puff 72, for example after being impregnated with water, is used for absorbing, cleansing or removing impurities from the surface of the skin to be treated.

Then, after cleansing of the skin, the clean puff 72 can be put back in place on the closure cap 22. The user can close the compartment, partly defined by the cap 22, by causing the lid 14 to pivot in the reverse manner to secure it on the cap.

From the closed position of the device 10, the closure cap 22 is then opened, as shown on Figure 5, to take up the powder puff 46 after manually releasing the engagement between the hook 58 and the rib of the push-button 62. Since the lid 14 is secured to the closure cap 22, said lid and cap rotate together as a unit.

Then, in this open position of the closure cap 22, the tray 20 is pivoted, as shown on Figure 6, so that the powder puff can be impregnated with the cosmetic product P contained inside the base 16 of the container. After having applied the cosmetic product on the surface of the skin to be treated, the device 10 is closed in the reverse manner.

In the illustrated example, the powder puff 46 and the clean puff 72 each comprise a

pad

46a, 72a and a

flexible band

46b, 72b secured to the pad, by any appropriate means, in order that the user may insert one or more fingers therebetween. The

band

46b, 72b of each puff recovers one of the frontal faces of the associated

pad

46a, 72a. The other frontal face of the pad 46a, respectively 72a, forms the application face of the puff 46, respectively the cleaning face of the puff 72. Here, the external shape of the

pads

46a, 72a is round, but they can also have another geometric or fancy shape. The pads of the powder and

clean puffs

46, 72 can be of different colours so as to enable the user to identify them more easily.

The powder puff 46 and the clean puff 72 each comprise a support layer and at least one sheet of porous material, such as polyurethane (in particular PU polyester foam or PU polyether foam) , polyester, polyether, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, NBR, EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) foams, etc.

Since these two

puffs

46, 72 are expected to be used respectively for applying the cosmetic product and cleansing the skin, the application face of the puff 46 has a surface state that is different from the surface state of the cleaning face of the puff 72.

For example, in order that the

puffs

46, 72 be respectively configured to form a powder puff and a cleaning puff, the applicant has determined different sizes and distributions of pores that may be provided for the application and cleaning faces of the

puffs

46, 72.

For example, for the cleaning face of the puff 72, the number of pores per mm² is higher than 30. The number of pores per mm² ranges from 40 to 50, and may be equal to 44 for example. The pores have an average diameter ranging from 95 μm to 105 μm. The pores have an average width/length ratio ranging from 0, 85 to 0, 9. The size and distribution of pores for the cleaning face of the puff 72 have been determined in order to obtain a good cleansing of skin when the pad is impregnated with water. Accordingly, it is not necessary to use a specific cleansing product, such as milk.

For example, for the application face of the puff 72, the number of pores per mm² is lesser than 30. The number of pores per mm² ranges from 10 to 20, and may be equal to 12 for example. The pores have an average diameter ranging from 35 μm to 40 μm. The pores have an average width/length ratio ranging from 0, 77 to 0, 83.

With the multiple-compartment storing and packaging device according to the present invention, the user carries out a new cosmetic routine for cleansing the skin and applying the cosmetic product. Besides, the arrangement of the different puffs inside separated compartments of the device prevents potential soiling or contamination of the powder puff by the clean puff.

Claims

Multiple-compartment storing and packaging device comprising a container (12) comprising:

- a base (16) delimiting at least a first compartment (18) containing at least one cosmetic product,

- a tray (20) mounted on the base and movable between an open position allowing access to said first compartment and a closed position, said tray delimiting at least a second compartment (44) separate from the first compartment (18) and receiving at least one first puff (46) , and

- a closure cap (22) mounted on the base (16) between an open position allowing access to said first puff and a closed position, characterized in that said device further comprises a lid (14) mounted on the container (12) and delimiting together with said container at least a third compartment (70) separate from the second compartment (44) and receiving at least one second puff (72) , the lid being movable between an open position allowing access to said second puff and a closed position, and in that one of the said first and second puffs is configured to form a powder puff (46) for applying the cosmetic product contained inside the first compartment of the container while the other is configured to form a clean puff (72) for cleansing impurities, said powder puff comprising at least one application face having a surface state that is different from the surface state of at least one cleaning face of the clean puff.
Multiple-compartment storing and packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the lid (14) is mounted on the closure cap (22) of the container.
Multiple-compartment storing and packaging device according to claim 2, wherein the lid (14) is axially located on the side opposite to the tray (20) with respect to the closure cap (22) .
Multiple-compartment storing and packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the lid (14) is mounted on the base (16) of the container.
Multiple-compartment storing and packaging device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (14) comprises at least one hook (80) arranged to snap on the container when said lid in its closed position.
Multiple-compartment storing and packaging device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (14) is rotatable around a rotation axis (74) that extends transversely to a median axis (X-X’) of the base.
Multiple-compartment storing and packaging device according to claim 6, wherein the closure cap (22) is rotatable around a rotation axis (47) parallel to the rotation axis (74) of the lid.
Multiple-compartment storing and packaging device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the powder puff (46) is stored in the first compartment (18) delimited by the tray while the clean puff (72) is stored in the third compartment (70) delimited by the lid and the container.
Multiple-compartment storing and packaging device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the powder and clean puffs (46, 72) are each formed of porous material.
Multiple-compartment storing and packaging device according to claim 9, wherein the number of pores per unit surface area of said cleaning face of the clean puff (72) is higher than that of said application face of the powder puff.
Multiple-compartment storing and packaging device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the number of pores per mm² of said cleaning face of the clean puff (72) ranges from 30 to 60, and is preferably equal to 44.
Multiple-compartment storing and packaging device according to any of the preceding claims 9 to 11, wherein the pores of the said cleaning face of the clean puff (72) have an average diameter ranging from 60 μm to 130 μm.
Multiple-compartment storing and packaging device according to any of the preceding claims 9 to 12, wherein the pores of the said cleaning face of the clean puff (72) have an average width/length ratio ranging from 0, 85 to 1.
Method of applying a cosmetic product stored into the multiple-compartment storing and packaging device according to any of the preceding claims comprising:

- opening the lid of said device to take up said second puff,

- cleansing the surface of the skin to be treated with said second puff,

- opening the closure cap of the container of said device to take up said first puff,

- loading said first puff with cosmetic product contained into the base of the container of said device, and

- applying the cosmetic product on said surface of the skin to be treated.
Method according to claim 14, wherein the second puff is impregnated with water before cleansing the skin.
Puff comprising at least one sheet of porous material having at least one face provided with a number of pores per mm² ranging from 30 to 60.